Sunday 19th April

Silly night and I put it down to eating too much, too late and that Badedas bath obviously relaxed my gut so that it didn't sort out the food intake.  I did managed to finish my book and now to search for another series that I can get my teeth into, I'm on a very frustrating game of Soda Crush and waiting for the machine to give up...and so far it hasn't...aaarrrggg.  I got very tired at six thirty, slept until seven thirty and woke up with a start and ending a very realistic dream...not nice....so out of bed, coffee, I collected the washing together and put a load in the machine, didn't bother having breakfast and prepared myself for shopping.  

I wrote my list, hung out the washing and was in the Nipper by nine twenty and it was good to be out and heading down the highway...well...my lane.  There were several vehicles on the road but the cows were out ensuring that some at least kept their speed down.  I pulled up outside the supermarket and thought it was closed.  There was only one car parked outside but saw that the in door was open so locked up and headed towards the door.  An old man was coming out and was removing his mask and telling me in Bulgarian that he couldn't breathe with it on so I nodded and gave him a wide berth.  I followed my list, thought I'd dropped it in the basket but when I got to the checkout I noticed it had beaten me to it.  Obviously I'd dropped it, no one could understand it but thought it was important so left it for me.  It's a legal requirement to wear a mask.  I'd put mine on, was wearing it correctly but few people were, even those working in the supermarket.  I know they're damp and uncomfortable and to wear one all day must be horrible...but that's the law and it was only nine thirty.  Shopping complete and loaded in the car, I carried on up to my student's mum's shop and checked that they were all OK and left my Lidl shopping list for the next time that her husband goes shopping for car-parts in Kardjali.  Back home, unpacked the shopping, made toast for breakfast with a scraping from my remaining butter and cherry jam.

I looked at the garden, it was a beautiful day and I should really be taking advantage of it but the spirit and the body were weak.  I put the laptop on and did emails and caught up on FB, my eyes were going so I took to the sofa and it was three thirty when I regained consciousness.  Coffee brought be round even further, I fetched the washing from the garden, am about to put it away and that's my Sunday.   It's supposed to rain overnight and cloudy tomorrow so I guess I've lost a good 'action' day but I really couldn't have managed it...there will be more.  Looking at the weather for the rest of the week...looks like we're heading back to very low temperatures at night.

I will be light on the food tonight...I need a good night's sleep.  Stay safe people and for goodness sake, if you're Bulgarian, wear those masks properly.  LN....And now relax...LN

Monday 20th April

So I had another silly night and was awake at two thirty and filled the time between sleep and sleep by playing games and watching stupid programmes on the Kindle...and eventually I went off to sleep at six or thereabouts.  I did managed too sleep through until eight and dog-dozed until nine thirty and felt I caught something back from the abortive night.

I'd planned my day.  It hadn't rained as promised overnight and thee was a hint of sun out there and very high clouds even though it was blowing a gale out there.  My promise to myself was to get out the petrol mower and mow the whole garden at once.  By doing it with different mowers and strimmers at different days of the week, it wasn't looking uniform and maybe my self-inflicted OCD had come into play. Washed, dressed and ready for the day, no breakfast I wasn't hungry so it was wellies on and out to the garden by eleven.  The machine fired up first time and I started with the side garden and was on a roll...I moved on to the grass under the terrace and was determined to finish the big house grass before I stopped for a late breakfast...and I did it.  The weather was still holding, clouds were gathering but there was no respite...I still had work to do.

I sliced one of the little sausages and fried it off with a mushroom, whisked a couple of eggs and made an omelette, scattering cheese on top.  Delicious and steeled myself and went out there again too get the job finished.  I worked through the petrol in the tank so turned the machine on it's side and gave it a clean underneath before I filled up the tank, started and eventually finished forcing myself to keep at it and finished off the bank between the two areas with the battery strimmer.  I was pleased with myself but absolutely knacked.  I checked the Fitbit and I've managed to knock off just over fifteen thousand steps...my weekly total is looking up.

Toys away and I had the first spot of rain but it blew over and that must have been the only one.  I've lit the fire, put the boiler on for a bath and fingers crossed...I shall have a better night tonight.  LN....Hoping it all grows at the same rate....LN

Tuesday 21st April

The rain arrived and it's been here all day.  It wasn't here at two thirty this morning...yes I saw it again...I woke with gripping pains in my stomach and spent the next hour or so in the smallest room in the house and that's all the information I'm going to share with you.  It was back to bed but this time with water, eventually got back to sleep at five according to my Fitbit report and woke up again at nine thirty. I didn't bother with breakfast, there was nothing to do outside, plenty I could find to do inside but instead I sort of meandered through the morning.  I did take out my very expensive earrings and cleaned them with 'spiritus' and now they are sparkly again.  My ear lobe was getting sore so that was doused with spirit as well, it heals things very quickly.  I always screw the backs up quite tightly after the episode of loosing one of them in the snow a few years back and since I bought them after my mother died..they're very precious.

Eventually I made boiled eggs and used up the last of my butter, washed and tidied the kitchen and took to the sofa with a new book.  I lit the fire, it wasn't cold but just felt it and despite the fact that it seemed to take ages to 'lift off' eventually it got there.  That's the problem with a damp chimney and no wind.  I pulled a blanket over me and you can guess the rest....I didn't wake up until six and my alarm was the telephone.  I saw that it was the garage calling, my student's mum and she was in....LIDL....and was requesting my shopping list.  At this point she called me on Messenger and made sure that I had the bacon I wanted, the butter I wanted and the baked beans and it was four of each and I'll pick them up in the morning from the shop.  I can have a bacon sandwich again,

Easy on the stomach tonight...I shall leave supper in the fridge and I don't suppose and early night will do me any good at all but wish me luck...it would be good to go through the night without any interruptions.  LN....Back to my book....LN

Wednesday 22nd April

Yes...a much better night last night and I feel much better for it.  Seven start and I played games and managed to get out of bed by eight.  I looked at the winter lounge table cloths and decided that they could do with a freshen up and popped them in the washing machine and put them on the banister to dry.  The way that the wind was blowing they would have been in Greece if I'd have hung them out to dry.  Washed and dressed, I was going in to Djebel to pick up my Lidl goodies purchased for me yesterday.  I'd estimated the cost at forty leva so got the money ready.  I didn't bother with breakfast, I was looking forward to having bacon, egg and fried bread when I got back.  I played around with a new design for a mask that I'd seen on the internet and I made one that was much superior to the one that I'd bought from the chemist.  This one felt much more secure but the only problem was that my glasses steamed up when I was driving.  I could do with demisters fitting.

I was surprised that the wind was so cold when I went out to start the car so I grabbed a hat and body warmer to make sure that I stayed warm.  I drove to the car shop, complete with new mask, collected my goodies and picked up two packets of firelighters instead of change.  They had gone in to Plovdiv yesterday to collect car parts and she seemed rather stressed.  They'd come back with lots of stock and her job today was to price it up and put it away so I didn't stop to chat.  I got back in the Nipper and drove to the Djebel district office and was fleeced out of yet more money for my yearly tax.  I really should go to Kardjali and raise an objection since we seem to pay more that the other towns in the area....and goodness knows how some of the villagers manage.  I popped in to the supermarket to buy biscuits, bread and another jar of coffee and should be OK for the next few weeks when lock-down should be over....fingers crossed.

Home, shopping away, bacon on the stove and my neighbour's daughter was banging on the window so I took the bacon off, fitted my mask before I went out mainly because I noticed that she wasn't wearing one.  They just believe that they're safe...and I won't risk it.  Finished cooking breakfast and relished it, finishing off with a slice of toast...with butter and I've got enough for the next four weeks.  I watched internet TV for a while and I was switching channels and I'm tired of all the newsreaders slagging off the government.  I think we've had out fill with Brexit and now this and despite the slagging over Brexit, the Conservatives won with a giant majority...so why don't they back off.  Just so many experts that I switched over to Countdown...much gentler.

Biscuits and cheese triangles for supper, I haven't lit the fire and probably should have done....it's cold.  I think I'm getting ready for my nest and snuggle down with my Kindle....it's the warmest place in the house when there's no fire.  LN....Fingers crossed for another good night....LN

Thursday 23rd April

I seemed to sleep OK last night but it was pretty restless according to my Fitbit.  I was up an about by seven, back to bed with the Kindle and a coffee and Soda Crush was playing well...I knocked off a few games.  I went up to my upstairs balcony and watched the sheep come over the hill and noticed that one was really struggling as it walked and no way should it have been out and about.  The shepherd approached it but it was left to its own devices.  It was a beautiful morning but again we had that wind and I was put off going out to the garden.  I did put the hat on and make an attempt but soon came in.  Not only was it blowing but it was cold so no way 'Hose'.

I came in and consoled myself with a cooked breakfast and then came over extremely tired so took my book upstairs and sat on Mrs D of S's rocking chair and the rest is history.  I eventually came back downstairs when I'd realised that I was having to prop myself up against the rocking motion despite the fact that I'd taken up a small table to rest my feet on.  I took to the sofa instead, then rested up for a while and then burst into action.  I filled up the log basket, I was cold last night so intended lighting a fire tonight and have just set the plan into action.  The rest of my afternoon was spent on the computer trying to get two anti-virus programs that I've spent money on to work on my new system...not that it's really new now and I probably should have persisted with it earlier.  I'd tried once and realised that I probably need outside help and eventually emailed the company to try to get some help from them.  My other challenge was to to try to download some more books by Bernard Cornwell and I hadn't realised that there were another eight books to add to the first five that I've read in the Last Kingdom season.  That looked like being an expensive pleasure so I've shelved it for a while.

The white cat was round this afternoon and I notice that she has a swelling tummy so we can expect more round in a short while.  They really don't look after their animals in this village. Fire is going, supper is still in the fridge/freezer and I've yet to decide what I'm going to have.  LN...I'll think of something....LN

"This one felt much more secure but the only problem was that my glasses steamed up when I was driving." Simple solution to that problem. Take the mask off when driving.  

Friday 24th April

Thanks Trevor for the suggestion....I can take the glasses off...my eyes are still so good and the mask was steaming up while I was shopping too.  Back to the drawing board Cecil...

Seven start this morning and the fire that I lit last night was still burning the last log that I threw on when I went to bed.  It was down to two degrees outside and had maintained twenty two inside so I had no complaints at all. The usual routine, coffee, back to bed, Soda Crush, washed and dressed and was eating breakfast at nine.  I finished off the mushrooms and the first packet of bacon and fried off an egg.....I had work to do today...the wind had dropped so I'd earmarked weeding the garden.

I put it off by bringing in the log carrier and filling up the log basket, sweeping the log store and giving it a bit of a tidy but inevitably I had to make a start.  I eased myself in gently by finishing the under main terrace garden and uncovered some plants that I'd forgotten about.  They'd got covered by the weeds.  I moved on to the large side garden and made a start.  I felt I was running out of steam at around two so I came in and had a coffee and a small packet of biscuits lay on the sofa but forced myself out again...and carried on where I'd left off.....it was hard work but I stuck at it.  

Toys away at six, I've knocked off nearly sixteen thousand steps today on the Fitbit so I came in and put supper in the oven so that it would cook while I got on with something else.  Corned beef covered with baked beans and topped with sliced potatoes and lashed with butter....and I can smell that it's ready.  LN....Kitchen calls....LN

Saturday 25th April

Six thirty start but I did get my head down at ten thirty last night ...early for me but it worked out.  I made coffee and went back to bed and I was still up and about for seven and the day has seemed so long.  Breakfast of the remains of the tin of beans from last night and it's seem me through the day.  Last night's supper was superb and when I took the main out of the oven I put in a stuffed apple apple so by the time I'd eaten that lot...stuffed to the gills.

I didn't stick to plan today.  I'd set myself a target to finish weeding the big side garden but it didn't happen but I did clear a patch that I've looked at for a while and it all started when I decided to plant up some seeds ready for the bare earth.  I'd got containers on the terrace that have grown a few weeds so I took them out, cleared out the roots and renewed some of the compost.  I also found several sweet peas, a couple in the garden and some in a bucket so I took the weeds out of that and moved the ones from the garden to join the others.  I've never had much success with sweet peas so maybe this year.  I now have four containers with seeds in them and covered them with a poly-carbonate sheet, watered well and we'll see how they come along.  

The corner under the little house terrace has been a bit of an eyesore that I've looked at and ignored for some time.  So I found wood suitable for the supports and the edging and now it's done and painted with old engine oil.  I had to clear out the weeds and last years plants that had died which took some time.  Next step was to find the lump hammer to knock in the supports and ordinary hammer and nails to get the planks attached.  It's a bit Heath Robinson....but it's done.  

I took a break for a coffee on the sofa, nodded off for about thirty minutes but went out to start again.  I found the battery strimmer out and did the grass between the house and the front wall and finished the yard moving the car to do underneath.  I moved to the main garden and did round the new boards and continued with the other raised beds and finished when the battery ran out.  

Lovely day, lovely evening, achieved quite a lot and feeling good.  Eleven thousand steps according to Fitbit....I'm on for a record week.  Not bothered about supper so far..I'll see how I feel later.  LN....Now relax in a hot bath....LN

Sunday 26th April

Six thirty start, normal meanderings around for coffee, Kindle and back to bed.  I did grab the camera though...there was a bird in the tree that I didn't recognise and I still can't ..it flew off before I could get the full zoom on the Sony.  I sat out with my second cup on the bench outside of the lounge window and then went in to grab a cushion...I hadn't put on as much padding as I thought I had.  I stayed out for about half an hour and despite the sun it wasn't as warm as it was at first...the clouds were gathering.  They were pretty high up but they still took the heat out the offering.  

I came in and made poached eggs on toast for breakfast, washed up and was ready to face the garden.  Again I was delaying the weeding and decided to lift the lavender that I'd hacked back and take all of the dead branches away.  It looks pretty sad underneath but has put on brilliant growth on the top and I toyed with the idea of removing it completely and starting again but I just couldn't do it so I knocked in a metal post near the wall and forced it upright using a cord to keep it there.  This allowed me to clear the dead branches from underneath, dig it over to get rid of the grass roots and prepare it for planting.  I used old wood to continue the edging around the under wall garden and match it up with the rest of the border.  I came in, it was too hot out there and settled down with the book for a while and no...I didn't go to sleep but have felt fairly deflated most of the day.  I suppose I looked at the weeding that I have to do and I just couldn't get round to it today...tomorrow is another day so maybe I'll have a burst of energy...who knows.

Tools away at four...again it was a coffee and more biscuits and I've just taken supper from the freezer so I shall be eating later.  I picked up the Sudoku book and managed to do four of the 'extreme' and was getting into the swing again...I've not done any for a while. I turned on Transponder and watched my first Virus briefing...what a waste of time and I guess that not many people sat through it.  The same questions, the same answers and as for coming out of lock-down....how long is a piece of string...it depends how sensible the majority of us remain.  Good new though from Greece...the beaches might be soon open according to my news guru...and from the report they might be opening up aspects of the tourist trade...from selected countries...I wonder if UK will be on the list.

Well the clouds have come over and the wind has got up again and it almost looks like rain.  I do hope it blows over...it only encourages the grass to grow.  LN...Kitchen calls...LN

Monday 27th April

Just beat the sun this morning but I was out on the terrace to catch it with the camera.  It looked like it was going to be another good day and it was fine until two this afternoon.  I dressed for the garden, eventually, I made scrambled eggs on toast and because I'd forgotten to put the Kindle on charge last night I watched Good Morning until I got fed up of the 'let's knock the government again'.  The breakfast came with me and it was my first breakfast in bed...and self provided...what a lazy bones.  I didn't want to put the main computer on...it can be such a waste of time.

I washed up and tidied the kitchen and sat outside for a while just watching everything come to life.  The birds were singing their little hearts out and it always reminds me of 'Shrek' when the bluebirds cop it. Today has been another meander day...I started one job which moved on to the next and it all started with wanting to get the male lemon tree out to put on the terrace.  All of the pots are out from the little house, I've potted up the lavender and buddliea cuttings and settled them on the little house terrace along with the empty pots that want something in them or doing to them.  I had a bonfire, did a load of washing, potted up another stick into a newly sprayed water bottle, painted the inside/outside table with bug killer...and at this point the thunder rolled round and there were a few spots of rain.  I rushed to get the washing in but it really was only a few spots so no damage done.

I came in at five thirty, put the washing away and back to the kitchen and made bolognaise sauce and was intending to make a potato lasagne but looked at the mild and it had got a sell by of January....so destined for over the wall.  Supper is ready so I'm signing off.  LN....I've had a really good day.....LN